Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica

The Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica, also known as clary sage or Turkestan sage, is a imposing biennial plant, sometimes grown as a perennial. In spring, it displays giant plume-like inflorescences made up of small blue and cream flowers, surrounded by large pearly white pink bracts that shimmer in the light. All parts of the inflorescence are glandular and aromatic, rich in an essential oil with recognized medicinal properties. This superb variety is even more adaptable to dry soils than the type and thrives in light and well-drained soils. It readily self-seeds in the garden.

The Turkestan sage is a plant of the Lamiaceae family, native to southern Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia. It is theoretically a perennial plant, but it most often behaves as a biennial, dying after producing too many seeds in its second year of existence. It develops a large rosette measuring 60 to 80 cm (23.6 - 31.5 in) in diameter, which remains evergreen in winter. The leaves are thick, entire, bluish-green, and pubescent, releasing a penetrating fragrance with notes of musk and grapefruit when touched. In June-July, or even earlier depending on the climate, strong branched inflorescences emerge from the rosette, rising up to 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) from the ground, unfurling their quadrangular stems laden with a profusion of flowers. The small flowers are pale blue and cream, enhanced by highly decorative pearly pink bracts. The flowering is followed by the formation of small, slender, dark-colored seeds. If the plant is allowed to go to seed, it may die. To keep it for a little longer and prevent it from self-seeding everywhere, simply remove the faded inflorescences.

In Haute-Provence, clary sage escapes from cultivation, displaying its monumental inflorescences between the lavender plants, creating a bright and fragrant tableau under the scorching June sun. One can draw inspiration from this in the garden by associating it with thyme, common sage, gray artemisia, and the vibrant blooms of shrubby salvias. This spectacular plant will illuminate an entire perennial bed and complements the flowering of old roses. If allowed to self-seed, it will quickly fill any empty spaces in the flower beds. The leaves of clary sage can be safely used to flavor soups, meats, and game.

Renowned for its medicinal properties, which earned it the name "toute-bonne" ("all-good") in French, clary sage is currently cultivated on a large scale in Provence for its essential oil used in phytotherapy and perfumery.